Maddowblog-GOP's Lindsey Graham says he'll 'definitely' sue over faux phone records controversy

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Senate Republicans empowered themselves to file lucrative “Arctic Frost” lawsuits, but House Republicans intend to take that power away.

GOP's Lindsey Graham says he'll 'definitely' sue over faux phone records controversy www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Chrisby (@chrisbyc.bsky.social) 2025-11-13T16:52:35.689Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/gops-lindsey-graham-says-ll-definitely-sue-faux-phone-records-controve-rcna243711

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the eight eligible GOP senators, nevertheless boasted about his intention to take advantage of the opportunity Republicans created for themselves. The Washington Post reported:

Graham, who had his phone records seized, said Wednesday that he would ‘definitely’ sue under the law. ‘And if you think I’m going to settle this thing for a million dollars? No,’ Graham told reporters in South Carolina. ‘I want to make it so painful no one ever does this again.’

He did not appear to be kidding.

Link to tweet

But before Graham’s lawyers head to a nearby courthouse, they should probably take note of the fact that a whole lot of House members — including plenty of Republicans — aren’t pleased about the Senate GOP’s gambit, and they’re eager to do something about it. Roll Call reported:

Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to pursue legislation next week that would repeal a Senate provision in a major spending package that incensed House Republicans and threatened to prolong the partial government shutdown. The must-pass spending measure drew eleventh-hour objections from House members of both parties after the discovery in recent days of a provision that would allow senators to sue for at least $500,000 each when federal investigators search their phone records in a judicially sanctioned probe without notifying them.

In comments to reporters this week, the House speaker conceded the Senate’s provision “was a really bad look,” which his chamber intends to “fix” in a standalone bill.

[Chasstev365]

1. Good Luck with that Huckleberry Graham!

I think Jack Smith knew what he was doing.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Free money. Why not?

Of course, a Republican is gonna grift in the slimiest way possible.
Trump bribes in broad daylight.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Because Mr president said I will sue and his cut

Will be 80%. It’s a good deal for me. That’s what Stephen Miller said. And because I am my own man.

[GiqueCee]

4. So the Sewer Rat...

... is going to sue. Under what statute, if the House is going to strip that obscene provision from the spending bill? So you actually think you're exempt from a legal investigation? Guess again, Pinky.